New Wave & Alison Moyet
Jim and Greg talk to Lori Majewski about her book Mad World: An Oral History of New Wave Artists and the Songs That Defined the 1980s, co-written with Jonathan Bernstein. In it, the authors reveal why New Wave caught on so strongly with pop fans and the media, especially post-punk in the U.K. Plus, an interview with Alison Moyet, an English singer-songwriter that came up in the New Wave scene, and is still making waves musically.
New Wave
No one of a certain age can hear "Rio" without picturing Simon LeBon and the members of Duran Duran crooning off the side of a yacht. They were the "Rolling Stones of the New Wave era" according to writer Lori Majewski, and those videos represented everything you either love or hate about the 1980s—the excess, the sex, the fashion and the pure pop production. But, while this was a very visual era of music (with infamous clothes and even more infamous hair), there's a lot to be said for the sound, which was made possible by then-new technology like the digital synthesizer. Jim and Greg talk to Lori about her 2014 book Mad World: An Oral History of New Wave Artists and the Songs That Defined the 1980s, co-written with Jonathan Bernstein. In it, the authors reveal why New Wave caught on so strongly with pop fans and the media, especially post-punk in the U.K. (Certainly the NME would rather photograph Adam Ant than a spitting Johnny Rotten).
Alison Moyet
English singer and songwriter Alison Moyet rose to fame in the early ‘80s as the lead singer of the synth-pop duo Yaz. Songs like "Only You" and "Situation" showcased her soulful vocals and dynamic voice. Since the group broke up in 1983, she's gone on to have a successful solo career and recently released her latest album, Other, which talks about the beauty in diversity, change and more. Jim and Greg talk to Alison about her new material, lifestyle changes and being an outsider in the music industry. She also performs two songs live from her new album.
Featured Songs
- Duran Duran, "Rio," Rio, Atlantic, 1982
- Gary Numan, "Cars," The Pleasure Principle, Beggars Banquet, 1979
- Spandau Ballet, "True.," True., Chrysalis, 1983
- Duran Duran, "Girls on Film," Duran Duran, EMI, 1981
- Adam Ant, "Goody Two Shoes," Friend or Foe, CBS, 1981
- Yaz, "Only You," Upstairs at Eric's, Warner Bros., 1982
- Human League, "Don't You Want Me," Dare!, Virgin, 1981
- Depeche Mode, "Just Can't Get Enough," Speak & Spell, Mute, 1981
- A-ha, "Take On Me," Hunting High and Low, Warner Bros., 1985
- Kajagoogoo, "Too Shy," White Feathers, EMI, 1982
- The Waitresses, "I Know What Boys Like," I Know What Boys Like (single), Polydor, 1980
- Gary Jules, "Mad World," Trading Snakeoil for Wolftickets, Modular Recordings, 2001
- Tears For Fears, "Mad World," The Hurting, Mercury, 1983
- Tears For Fears, "Shout," Songs from the Big Chair, Mercury, 1985
- Tears For Fears, "Everybody Wants to Rule the World," Songs from the Big Chair, Mercury, 1985
- Yaz, "Situation," Upstairs at Eric's, Mute, 1982
- Yaz, "Only You ," Upstairs at Eric's, Mute, 1982
- Alison Moyet, "Love Resurrection," Alf, Columbia, 1984
- Alison Moyet, "Is This Love," Raindancing, Columbia, 1987
- Alison Moyet, "Lover, Go," Other, Cooking Vinyl, 2017
- Alison Moyet, "Other (Live on Sound Opinions)," Other, Cooking Vinyl, 2017
- Alison Moyet, "Invisible," Alf, Columbia, 1984
- Alison Moyet, "I Germinate," Other, Cooking Vinyl, 2017
- Alison Moyet, "Alive," Other, Cooking Vinyl, 2017
- Alison Moyet, "The Rarest Birds (Live on Sound Opinions)," Other, Cooking Vinyl, 2017
- Alison Moyet, "Reassuring Pinches," Other, Cooking Vinyl, 2017
- Vic Mensa, "Memories on 47th Street," The Autobiography, Roc Nation, 2017
- Madonna, "Hung Up," Confessions on a Dance Floor, Warner Bros., 2005
- Uncle Tupelo, "Give Back the Key to My Heart," Anodyne, Sire, 1993
- Wilson Pickett, "Mustang Sally," The Wicked Pickett, Atlantic, 1966
- Iron & Wine, "Bitter Truth," Beast Epic, Sub Pop, 2017
- Iron & Wine, "Carousel," The Shepherd's Dog, P-Vine , 2007
- Iron & Wine, "House By the Sea," The Shepherd's Dog, P-Vine , 2007
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